New Delhi: India is considering expanding its solar STAR-C initiative, led by the International Solar Alliance, to a number of Pacific island nations, according to people familiar with the matter.
New Delhi: India is considering expanding its solar STAR-C initiative, led by the International Solar Alliance, to a number of Pacific island nations, according to people familiar with the matter.
The program aims to strengthen solar energy ecosystems in the poorest countries. In the Pacific it is currently running in Tonga. Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s attendance at a summit with the Pacific island nations, India is looking to expand its diplomatic presence in a region where China is forging increased ties.
The program aims to strengthen solar energy ecosystems in the poorest countries. In the Pacific it is currently running in Tonga. Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s attendance at a summit with the Pacific island nations, India is looking to expand its diplomatic presence in a region where China is forging increased ties.
India’s efforts will primarily focus on economic development, connectivity and climate change. The expansion of the STAR-C initiative will be an integral part of that outreach.
India’s efforts will primarily focus on economic development, connectivity and climate change. The expansion of the STAR-C initiative will be an integral part of that outreach.
“The overarching goal (of the STAR-C initiative) is to create a strong network of institutional capacity within ISA member states to improve quality infrastructure (QI) for the uptake of solar energy product and service markets, particularly in least developed countries (LDCs) and small island developing states (SIDS),” according to the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), which co-leads the initiative with the ISA. Funding for the project is also provided by France.
“The overarching goal (of the STAR-C initiative) is to create a strong network of institutional capacity within ISA member states to improve quality infrastructure (QI) for the uptake of solar energy product and service markets, particularly in least developed countries (LDCs) and small island developing states (SIDS),” according to the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), which co-leads the initiative with the ISA. Funding for the project is also provided by France.
The program aims to increase capacity in developing countries by building a solar workforce, standardizing products, building infrastructure and raising awareness among policymakers.
The program aims to increase capacity in developing countries by building a solar workforce, standardizing products, building infrastructure and raising awareness among policymakers.
In the initial phase, the focus was on the Economic Community of West African States, the Pacific Island Forum (PIF) and the East African Community.
In the initial phase, the focus was on the Economic Community of West African States, the Pacific Island Forum (PIF) and the East African Community.
The expansion of the STAR-C initiative will be based on an increased outreach from New Delhi to the Pacific Island States. Modi flew to Papua New Guinea in May for the Forum on Pacific Islands Cooperation Summit. Modi announced a 12-step action plan for the islands that also included solar energy projects.
The expansion of the STAR-C initiative will be based on an increased outreach from New Delhi to the Pacific Island States. Modi flew to Papua New Guinea in May for the Forum on Pacific Islands Cooperation Summit. Modi announced a 12-step action plan for the islands that also included solar energy projects.
India has also emphasized in recent years the importance of working with the Pacific island nations on climate change and renewable energy.
India has also emphasized in recent years the importance of working with the Pacific island nations on climate change and renewable energy.
These island nations have been courted by the US and China in recent years as geopolitical competition between the two Pacific powers intensified. China signed a security agreement with the Solomon Islands last year and has attempted to finalize a comprehensive agreement with ten countries in the region, although that attempt has failed.
These island nations have been courted by the US and China in recent years as geopolitical competition between the two Pacific powers intensified. China signed a security agreement with the Solomon Islands last year and has attempted to finalize a comprehensive agreement with ten countries in the region, although that attempt has failed.
This has prompted the region’s traditional heavyweights, such as Australia, to place a greater economic and political focus on the islands. The quad grouping from the US, Japan, Australia and India has also made this a priority.
This has prompted the region’s traditional heavyweights, such as Australia, to place a greater economic and political focus on the islands. The quad grouping from the US, Japan, Australia and India has also made this a priority.
“We recommit to working with the Pacific Island nations to achieve common goals and address common challenges,” the leaders of the four quad nations said in May.
“We recommit to working with the Pacific Island nations to achieve common goals and address common challenges,” the leaders of the four quad nations said in May.
“In this effort, the Quad Leaders will listen to and be guided by Pacific priorities at every step, including climate protection, marine health, resilient infrastructure, maritime security and financial integrity,” they added.
“In this effort, the Quad Leaders will listen to and be guided by Pacific priorities at every step, including climate protection, marine health, resilient infrastructure, maritime security and financial integrity,” they added.
